Bulbholder mounting assembly

ABSTRACT

A mounting assembly for a bulbholder formed by a C-shaped yoke member having spaced end arms, and a pair of spring support subassemblies resiliently supporting opposite ends of the bulbholder from the end arms. Each spring sub-assembly is adjustable relative to the yoke end arm so that the bulbholder may be aimed upwardly or downwardly to project the light as desired.

atent [1 1 Alimand 11] 33mm"; 1 1 ,Eniy 31,1973

1 1 BULBHOLDER MOUNTING ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Walter C. Allmand, Holdrege, Nebr. [73] Assignee: Allmand Bros. Inc., Holdrege, Nebr.

[22] Filed: Feb. 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 225,967

[52] US. Cl. 240/52 R, 240/3, 240/7.1 R, 240/90, 339/93 L [51] Int. Cl. F2lv 21/00 [58] Field of Search 240/52 R, 52 BL,

240/52 HT, 41.15, 7.1 R, 3, 90; 339/93 L; 313/269 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,536,407 5/1925 Pettus 240/90 X 1,786,758 12/1930 Larson 240/90 X 1,183,147 5/1916 White et al. 240/90 3,300,636 1/1967 Quelland et al. 240/90 3,519,811 7/1970 Jacobs 240/90 X 3,086,107 4/1963 Gr0ver.... 240/52 R 3,543,016 11/1970 Jones 240/3 Primary Examiner-Richard L. Moses Attorney-William A. Strauch, James E. Nolan et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A mounting assembly for a bulbholder formed by a C- shaped yoke member having spaced end arms, and a pair of spring support sub-assemblies resiliently supporting opposite ends of the bulbholder from the end arms. Each spring sub-assembly is adjustable relative to the yoke end arm so that the bulbholder may be aimed upwardly or downwardly to project the light as desired.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I BULIIIIOLDER MOUNTING ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to bulbholder support devices and more particularly to a bulbholder mounting assembly in which the bulbholder and the lamp contained therein are protected from vibration and shock damage, while at the same time the most efficient and maximum light projection from the lamp is obtained.

When larger wattage lamps, such as 1,000 watt multi vapor lamps, and their bulbholders are mounted in a conventional rigid fashion on a light pole, frequently they become damaged by vibration and shock conditions to which they are subjected, especially in heavily industrialized areas. While the bulb-holder must be adequately supported in a stable condition from a light pole, nevertheless it is desirable that the bulbholder have some degree of resiliency sufficient to protect the lamp from vibration and shock damage.

In addition, it is highly beneficial and desirable to have a lamp which may be adjusted either upwardly or downwardly so that the light emitted from the lamp may be projected or aimed as desired. There are no known bulbholder mounting assemblies which provide the total combination of these advantages and the invention described herein was developed with those desirable characteristics in mind to overcome the problems associated with prior known constructions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the primary object of this invention resides in the provision of a novel, bulbholder mounting assembly which provides a stable support for a lamp and its bulbholder and minimizes the amount of vibration and shock to which the lamp is subjected.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel bulbholder mounting assembly formed by a main C-shaped, yoke support member having spaced end arms and a pair of spring mounted subassemblies supporting opposite ends of a bulb holder between the end arms of the yoke member. The spring assemblies provide a resilient support connection between the bulb holder and the yoke member and thereby protect the lamp itself from vibration and shock damage which might be caused by forces applied to the main yoke member and the light pole on which it may be supported.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel bulbholder mounting assembly as discussed in the previous objects, wherein each of the spring support sub-assemblies is adjustable relative the yoke member so that the bulbholder may be adjusted through substantially 360 and the light from the lamp may be aimed or projected upwardly or downwardly as desired.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which like elements are indicated by like numerals. However, it is to be understood that the detailed description of the preferred embodiment is for illustrative purposes only, and that the scope of the invention is determined only by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary front elevation view of the novel bulbholder mounting assembly, with the bulbholder itself positioned to project the light downwardly in a vertical direction;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. l, but with the bulbholder turned approximately 180 from its position in FIG. I to display the lamp therein, the light from which would then be projected vertically upwardly;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevation view taken generally along line I'M-3 of FIG. I and illustrating the construction of the spring support sub-assemblies; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view taken generally along line 4- of FIG. 2 illustrating the manner in which the mounting assembly would be attached to a conventional light pole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, a lamp M), such as a L000 watt multi vapor lamp, is mounted in conventional fashion within a commercially available bulbholder 12 having opposed side extensions I4 and 16, one of which, e.g., extension I6, is formed as a conventional electrical socket to receive the socket end of the lamp 110 in conventional fashion. The outer tip end of the lamp may be additionally grasped and supported by a wire form support 17 within the bulbholder itself. The bulbholder 12 will be supported in suitable fashion, such as, for example, from a vertical light pole 64 by a mounting assembly 20 which constitutes the subject matter of this invention.

Mounting assembly 20 is formed by a main C-shaped, tubular yoke support member 22 having a central base section 241 and a pair of end arm sections 26 and 28 which extend substantially perpendicularly from center section 24. A pair of spring support sub-assemblies 30 and 32 resiliently support bulbholder 112 between the yoke arms 26 and 28, with spring sub-assembly 30 extending between the bulb holder side extension 16 and yoke arm 28 and spring sub-assembly 32 extending between bulbholder projection M and yoke arm 26. Each of the spring support assemblies 34]) and 32 are identical in construction and, for purposes of brevity, only spring sub-assembly 30 will be described.

Spring assembly 3@ includes a channel plate member 34 the rear of which abuts against a small plate piece 36 that is welded to the end of the yoke arm 28. Plate 34 is fastened to arm 28 by way ofa weld nut 38 which is welded within the channel member and a bolt 39 lel to the plate member 34. A pair of springs 5h extend between one end of plate $6 and the end flanges 4d of plate all), while a second pair of springs 52 extend be-- tween the other end of plate 46 and the end flanges 4d of plate 42.

As shown in FIG. d, the yoke 22 is readily connected to a light pole, or a similar mounting member by way of a bracket assembly 5d which includes a U-shaped section $6 which extends around the center yoke section 2d, a flat abutment plate $8 welded to section 56 at the rear of center section 24 and a bolt 60 which threads through aligned openings in section 56, center section 24, and plate 58, and functions to properly position yoke 22 relative to plate 58. The flat mounting plate 58 provides sufficient mounting surface so that it may readily be attached to a corresponding bracket assembly 62 mounted on a light pole 64.

The described preferred embodiment of the invention provides the objects and advantages which were initially set forth above. For example, the C-shaped yoke member is sufficiently rigid to mount the bulbholder and the lamp supported therein in an elevated vertical position on a light pole, while the spring subassemblies 30 and 32 provide sufficient resiliency in the system to protect the bulbholder and lamp itself from damage due to shock and/or vibration which may be transmitted to the light pole and/or the yoke member 22.

ln addition, because the plates 34 of spring assemblies 30 and 32 are readily adjustable relative to the yoke arms 26 and 28 by loosening bolts 39, the bulb holder 12 is adjustable through essentially 360 so that the light from lamp may be projected or aimed upwardly or downwardly as desired. Thus, simply by loosening bolts 39, plates 34 may be rotated relative to arms 26 and 28, thus causing proper aiming or orientation of the bulb holder 12 and lamp 10.

The described bulb holder and mounting assembly provides a complete, lightweight floodlight unit having very good light projection qualities and providing maximum protection of the light itself, thereby affording reliable, efficient and long-term service life, and reducing operating costs. The bulbholder and its mounting assembly are well suited for extreme rough service, since the yoke and the resilient spring assemblies effectively shield the lamp itself from the vibration and shock forces.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a bulbholder, mounting means for said bulbholder comprising a support member having a center section and a pair of spaced, transverse arm sections extending from said center section, and means resiliently supporting said bulbholder from said support member between said arm sections comprising a spring assembly connected between each of said arm sections and said bulbholder, said spring assemblies being rotatably adjustable with respect to said arm sections to permit adjustment of said bulbholder relative to said support member.

2. In combination, a bulbholder, mounting means for said bulbholder comprising a support member having a center section and a pair of spaced, transverse arm sections extending from said center section, means resiliently supporting said bulbholder from said support member between said arm sections comprising a spring assembly connected between each of said arm sections and said bulbholder, each spring assembly including a first plate member connected to a respective arm section, a pair of end plate members connected to opposite ends of said first plate member and extending in a transverse direction relative thereto, and a plurality of springs connected between said end plate members and said bulbholder for resiliently supporting said bulbholder from said arm sections.

3. The combination defined in claim 1, said mounting means comprising bracket means connected to said center section for mounting said support member on a light pole.

4. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said first plate member is adjustable relative to said arm section to permit adjustment of said bulbholder relative to said support member.

5. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein each spring assembly further includes a second plate member connected to said bulbholder and extending generally parallel to said first plate member, and a pair of springs extending between each end of said second plate member and the ends of the adjacent transverse end plate member.

6. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein said first plate member is adjustable relative to said arm section.

7. A mounting assembly for a bulbholder comprising a support member having a center section and a pair of spaced transverse arm sections extending from said center section, means adapted to resiliently support said bulbholder from said support member between said arm sections comprising a spring assembly adapted to be connected between each of said arm sections and said bulbholder, each spring assembly including a first plate member connected to a respective arm section, a pair of end plate members connected to opposite ends of said first plate member and extending in a transverse direction relative thereto, and a plurality of springs adapted to be connected between said end plate members and said bulb holder, wherein said bulbholder is resiliently supported from said arm sections.

8. A mounting assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said first plate member is adjustable relative to said arm section so that the bulb holder may be adjusted relative to said support member.

9. A mounting assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein each spring assembly includes a second plate member adapted to be connected to said bulbholder and extending generally parallel to said first plate member, and a pair of springs extending between each end of said second plate member and the ends of the adjacent transverse end plate member.

10. A mounting assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said first plate member is adjustable relative to said arm section.

11. A mounting assembly as defined in claim 10, comprising bracket means connected to said center section for mounting said support member on a light pole or the like.

i 8r fi 

1. In combination, a bulbholder, mounting means for said bulbholder comprising a support member having a center section and a pair of spaced, transverse arm sections extending from said center section, and means resiliently supporting said bulbholder from said support member between said arm sections comprising a spring assembly connected between each of said arm sections and said bulbholder, said spring assemblies being rotatably adjustable with respect to said arm sections to permit adjustment of said bulbholder relative to said support member.
 2. In combination, a bulbholder, mounting means for said bulbholder comprising a support member having a center section and a pair of spaced, transverse arm sections extending from said center section, means resiliently supporting said bulbholder from said support member between said arm sections comprising a spring assembly connected between each of said arm sections and said bulbholder, each spring assembly including a first plate member connected to a respective arm section, a pair of end plate members connected to opposite ends of said first plate member and extending in a transverse direction relative thereto, and a plurality of springs connected between said end plate members and said bulbholder for resiliently supporting said bulbholder from said arm sections.
 3. The combination defined in claim 1, said mounting means comprising bracket means connected to said center section for mounting said support member on a light pole.
 4. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said first plate member is adjustable relative to said arm section to permit adjustment of said bulbholder relative to said support member.
 5. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein each spring assembly further includes a second plate member connected to said bulbholder and extending generally parallel to said first plate member, and a pair of springs extending between each end of said second plate member and the ends of the adjacent transverse end plate member.
 6. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein said first plate member is adjustable relative to said arm section.
 7. A mounting assembly for a bulbholder comprising a support member having a center section and a pair of spaced transverse arm sections extending from said center section, means adapted to resiliently support said bulbholder from said support member between said arm sections comprising a spring assembly adapted to be connected between each of said arm sections and said bulbholder, each spring assembly including a first plate member connected to a respective arm section, a pair of end plate members connected to opposite ends of said first plate member and extending in a transverse direction relative thereto, and a plurality of springs adapted to be connected between said end plate members and said bulb holder, wherein said bulbholder is resiliently supported from said arm sections.
 8. A mounting assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said first plate member is adjustable relative to said arm section so that the bulb holder may be adjusted relative to said support member.
 9. A mounting assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein each spring assembly includes a second plate member adapted to be connected to said bulbholder and extending generally parallel to said first plate member, and a pair of springs extending between each end of said second plate member and the ends of the adjacent transverse end plate member.
 10. A mounting assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said first plate member is adjustable relative to said arm section.
 11. A mounting assembly as defined in claim 10, comprising bracket means connected to said center section for mounting said support member on a light pole or the like. 